THE YOKE OF THE LORD

In the early days of Jesus' ministry, it was said the crowds were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Luke 4:32) Although Jesus no longer walks the shores of Galilee, we possess something much better, that has the same greatness of power. "But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:..." (Acts 1:8) The good news is; when the Holy Ghost takes abode on the inside, it's no longer visitation, where they were only able to see Jesus occasionally, but with the Holy Ghost comes habitation, which means permanent occupancy!! This truly brings emphasis to the words of Jesus: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee". (Heb.13:5)

The greek word for power, in the above text, is "dunamis" and always implies miraculous strength and might. We have developed an English word from this root, which is "dynamite", and we all know it's potential. I see a comparison here; a stick of dynamite without a means of igniting, has potential alright, yet no power. Even so, the word of God is full of miracles, deliverance and all forms of anointing, yet without being ignited by the Spirit, it remains a "dead letter" with no power.

Just recently this was made real to me in a great way, as I was reading the words of Jesus: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light". I found myself questioning the Lord. Really, an "easy yoke" and a "light burden" ?? I must be doing something wrong. The Spirit quickly let me know the importance of keeping His Word in context ! Jesus said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light".(Matt.11:28-30) All of a sudden, the scriptures came alive to me , but first there had to come ignition by the Holy Ghost.

In order to fully understand the yoke that's easy and the burden that's light, we must never forget the heavy load of the "yoke of bondage" we all once carried before coming to the Lord and casting all of our cares upon Him.(I Pet.5:7)

It's the significance of the yoke that brings Rest and the understanding of rest that brings ease and peace! The yoke was a wooden bar held on the neck of two draft animals by thongs around the animals neck. The purpose was to make of the two, one strong unified team. Also the strongest and wisest was trained to take the lead. This is a picture of the yoke of the Lord as we are joined to His Spirit in harmony and oneness. As the strongest and wisest we must give Jesus the lead and then enjoy the benefits of his yoke: He comforts, abides forever, teaches us all things, brings all things to our remembrance, gives us peace, intercessor, advocate and guides us into all truth!! Praise His Name! Of a truth, through obedience to the Lord, we can enjoy an "easy yoke".

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his".(Heb.4:9-10) To enjoy God's rest, is to understand it and more importantly focus on it at all times. Our own human sweat and toil, without the leadership of the Spirit, is basically fruitless. But in Jesus'

own words, if I will simply come to him (by faith believing in his grace) there's a rest that is freely given. Next, upon taking his yoke, I make it life's goal to "learn of him" and to become "meek and lowly in heart", it's here that I experience a rest that is found. There is a basic rest that is freely given to all those that come to Him. However, there's

a deeper rest that is found for those that diligently seek Him, this brings rest to the soul. All the labor and sweat is now taken out of our daily walk, and the things we do for the Lord flows wonderfully out of His Rest .